THOMAS TUCHEL is keen to replace Gareth Southgate as England manager if the current boss walks away....CONTINUE READING
Southgate will consider his future as Three Lions gaffer following the quarter-final World Cup exit.
He admitted he needs time to reflect on the tournament and wants to make the right decision after that review.
The FA are desperate for Southgate to stay on but, as revealed by SunSport, Tuchel would throw his name in the hat if the position became available.
The former Chelsea boss is currently back home in Germany following his Blues sacking in September.
But what would the England team look like if Tuchel was in charge?
Well, the news would come as a major boost for a whole host of the Chelsea squad.
Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling started England’s 6-2 win over Iran and the 0-0 draw with USA.
Mount came on against Senegal while they were both subbed on against France.
Should Tuchel come in, he would no doubt keep the pair in the side – likely playing in attack either side of Harry Kane.
Mount was a regular throughout Tuchel’s Chelsea tenure while he signed Sterling for £47.5million this summer.
Tuchel has always enjoyed a back three with wing-backs.
He may opt for a shake-up in goal with Aaron Ramsdale replacing Jordan Pickford as the long-term No1.
In front of him could be a back three with Chelsea academy graduate Trevoh Chalobah and John Stones either side of Harry Maguire – who was a shock transfer target for the Blues in August.
At wing-back, £50m Chelsea man Ben Chilwell would surely get the nod over Luke Shaw with Reece James arguably the best right wing-back in world football and thrived under Tuchel there.
James and Chilwell were on course to go to Qatar before injury ruled the pair out.
In midfield, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham may well be safe – with Ruben Loftus-Cheek an outside alternative.
Tuchel tried to sign Rice from West Ham at Chelsea as one of the best holding midfielders in the country while Bellingham is pretty much a certain starter as an exciting young talent wanted by many of the world’s biggest clubs.
However, it could be bad news for Conor Gallagher, Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori.
Gallagher was a surprise inclusion in Southgate’s 26-man squad for Qatar – but did not get a minute of action.
However, the midfielder struggled to make his mark under Tuchel and was regularly overlooked by the German boss at Stamford Bridge.
Similarly, Tomori and Abraham were sold under Tuchel’s management after failing to convince him of being long-term solutions.
